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HowZatOZ · Jan 5, 2015

I found this incredibly interesting, and definitely speaks volumes as to the piracy levels on Android and iOS mobile devices. The fact that only 5% of Monument Valley's installs were actually legitimate sales is sickening to someone who interacts with a lot of indie devs, and with a lot of people calling companies to move onto mobile I can see this kind of data definitely proving otherwise.

Tweets by developer Ustwo have drawn attention to the low rate of paid installs for its popular title Monument Valley on Android and iOS devices.

ustwogames
‏@ustwogames
Interesting fact: Only 5% of Monument Valley installs on Android are paid for. 40% on iOS. There’s a sneak peak of data!

ustwogames
‏@ustwogames
Android statistics don’t include Amazon Store data by the way. So 95% piracy rate isn’t affected by the free day we did.

The tweeter then went on to clarify that it was mistaken in saying that 95 per cent was entirely pirated installs, and that a portion were legitimate unpaid installs.

More at the link. Pirate me if old.

Takamura-San · Jan 5, 2015

That is really awful...

Faustek · Jan 5, 2015

Wonder how many of these are due to region locked stores.

Trouble · Jan 5, 2015

I'm part of the 5%.

Well, technically I didn't 'pay' for it. I got it with free Amazon Coins.

Triggerhappytel · Jan 5, 2015

I'm assuming there's not a free version? As in, every one of those 95% are pirated? That's fucking disgusting if true.

Jotamide · Jan 5, 2015

I paid for mine.

Ape · Jan 5, 2015

Toki767 · Jan 5, 2015

Does that include copies from the Humble Bundle?

Riddy · Jan 5, 2015

words

VoltySquirrel · Jan 5, 2015

Well, it's stupid easy to pirate on Android. Just download utorrent, hit up Pirate Bay (or IsoHunt now I guess) and get the apk. On iOS there are some actual hoops to jump through. Super shitty regardless.

Motwera · Jan 5, 2015

I am part of that 5%, I paid for it the day it came out on Android.

And I enjoyed it

Crimsonclaw111 · Jan 5, 2015

Triggerhappytel said:
I'm assuming there's not a free version? As in, every one of those 95% are pirated? That's fucking disgusting if true.

There's no free version.

DUFFMCWALIN · Jan 5, 2015

Trouble said:
I'm part of the 5%.

Well, technically I didn't 'pay' for it. I got it with free Amazon Coins.

Same. Its a shame so few people are purchasing it. Its a cool game.

xxracerxx · Jan 5, 2015

God damn....fuck the pirates.

Yonafunu · Jan 5, 2015

Wait, it's on Android?

Trouble · Jan 5, 2015

The tweeter then went on to clarify that it was mistaken in saying that 95 per cent was entirely pirated installs, and that a portion were legitimate unpaid installs.

Hmm....

gruenel · Jan 5, 2015

People pirate $3 games? ...

Kriken · Jan 5, 2015

I wonder whether or not "free app" are included or not (probably not) for paid download. I got the game when Amazon gave it away on their app store.

That aside, 5% is depressing

NYCmetsfan · Jan 5, 2015

I got mine on amazon with that free coin promotion they were running last year.

But I thought android cut down a lot and made it hard to pirate for most users. Like in Android 4.0 or something. Checking for a signature or something.

I remember it was as easy as copying an .apk file back in 08-09.

Trouble said:
Hmm....

So since I downloaded it through the amazon app and it sideloads those apps wouldn't I be counted that way?

RM8 · Jan 5, 2015

Android is a good example of how piracy can indeed affect sales, which some people claim it's false :/

Lord Griegous · Jan 5, 2015

I am part of the 95%, but only because I got it free from the amazon store a month ago.

Really sucks if piracy in mobiles is that bad though.

That1BlackGuy · Jan 5, 2015

Damn that sucks.

23qwerty · Jan 5, 2015

Trouble said:
Hmm....

How deliberately misleading

orthodoxy1095 · Jan 5, 2015

gruenel said:
People pirate $3 games? ...

Yes. People's miserliness will never cease disappointing you.

Busaiku · Jan 5, 2015

I know I got it for free through Amazon.
Wouldn't have considered it otherwise.

Not to knock the game or anything, this applies to any app.

demolitio · Jan 5, 2015

Gotta remember it was also free for a day on the Amazon App Store as well, but yea...Piracy is bad on Android as we all know by now.

Rogue_Ledr · Jan 5, 2015

I paid for mine on IOS.

ComputerMKII · Jan 5, 2015

I guess it means this, then:

maxcriden · Jan 5, 2015

Whoa, only 5% and 40%? The game's not F2P, though, right? That many people pirate? Wow. I mean, I bought the game and I thought it was buy-only.

Fantastapotamus · Jan 5, 2015

40% on iOS? That's better than Android (obviously) but still pretty bad overall.

However the game is pretty expensive. 3€? What?! How greedy!

Crimsonclaw111 · Jan 5, 2015

Trouble said:
Hmm....

So... What's the actual piracy rate? Also when was Monument Valley free on Android?

Unless this means like Amazon coins.

Riddy · Jan 5, 2015

words

Conflict NZ · Jan 5, 2015

Got it through Amazon, does that count as paid?

Pops Maellard · Jan 5, 2015

My girlfriend bought it day one and I did so as well shortly after because it seemed mildly interesting. Not sure why anyone would bother pirating something so inexpensive.

Seanspeed · Jan 5, 2015

The game has gone on sale for free a couple times, hasn't it? That could account for a fair chunk of this percentage.

Danchi · Jan 5, 2015

40% seems kinda low for iOS. I didn't realise so many people jailbroke their devices.

HowZatOZ · Jan 5, 2015

Kriken said:
I wonder whether or not "free app" are included or not (probably not) for paid download. I got the game when Amazon gave it away on their app store.

That aside, 5% is depressing

Yeah it seems the 95% was later clarified as including those given the game for free through Amazon and other avenues. Still doesn't shake off that ridiculously low 5% paid sales. As I said in the OP, this is why some of the bigger devs aren't as eager to go mobile with their paid apps, they know piracy is so rampant especially on Android.

Stratosphere · Jan 5, 2015

I got it free on the Amazon App store. Recently did the same with Terraria.

TangoAlphaLima · Jan 5, 2015

Seanspeed said:
The game has gone on sale for free a couple times, hasn't it? That could account for a fair chunk of this percentage.

Yes, it was Amazon's FAOTD on November 19, 2014. I got the receipts!

kutthoat5150 · Jan 5, 2015

Used free app life points to get mine on iOS, I think a majority of users are familiar with sponsored app programs

neogaffer1 · Jan 5, 2015

Does that count free installs during Amazon Free App of the Day sales? Cuz it's been free several times through that.

Zophar · Jan 5, 2015

I paid for it. Loved it, would pay again.

sandkiller · Jan 5, 2015

I got mine via Amazon's free app of the day and it seems to consider it as part of the 95%...

Vandole · Jan 5, 2015

Is there a number for total units sold on each OS? That would make a very interesting point towards piracy affecting sales.

Zomba13 · Jan 5, 2015

Mine was free from the Amazon store. It was app of the day or something.

Iksenpets · Jan 5, 2015

Wow. 5% on Android is shocking, but I'm actually more surprised that even Apple, about as closed a system as you could hope for, can only get that number up to 40%.

Draper · Jan 5, 2015

I feel like if you have the knowledge and will to pirate, then you are probably old enough to know that this kind of shit destroys the industry that you're enjoying. It's perplexing to me.

+Aliken+ · Jan 5, 2015

This is one of the reason why mobile phone gaming will never replace console gaming.

Crayons · Jan 5, 2015

I didn't pay for mine, I got it for free from the Amazon store

Calmine · Jan 5, 2015

Does that include Amazon app and google play sales? I bought from play soon as it came out.

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Only 5% of Monument Valley Android Installs are Paid, 40% on iOS; Free Copies Not Inc

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